Dr. O'Connor is Chairman of the Cancer Program at St. John's Regional Medical Center and has been named one of the "Best Doctors in America: Pacific Region". A specialist in Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT), Dr. O'Connor is committed to advanced technological treatment and giving compassionate care.

Henry Z. Montes, M.D.

A Ventura County native, Dr. Montes is fluent in Spanish and the recipient of many honors and awards, including the "Celebration of Excellence Award" from The Wellness Community – Valley/Ventura. Dr. Montes provides high-level care to cancer patients and specializes in the most advanced treatments for prostate, breast and skin cancer.

Breast Cancer

Treatment Care Guide

Caring For Yourself During Radiation Therapy

Get plenty of rest during treatment,
eat a balanced diet, and drink
plenty of fluids.

Tell your doctor about any
medications or vitamins you are taking to
make sure they are safe to use
during radiation therapy.

Treat the skin exposed to radiation
with care. Clean the area with
warm water and mild soap and use lotions or ointments only after checking
with your doctor or nurse. We suggest two products that help: Aquaphor Healing Ointment and
Udderly Smooth Cream. Keep this area out of the sun and avoid
applying hot or cold packs.

Frequently Asked Questions

1) Will the experiences I’ve heard about from other patients be the
same for me? Not necessarily. Each breast cancer story is different
because of variations in skin, genetics, breast size, and whether you
had a mastectomy.

2) Why did this happen to me? I exercise, don't smoke, and get regular mammograms. No one knows for sure why we get cancer. A strong family history of the disease is certainly a contributing factor. We can connect you
with our cancer center, which has an amazing team that includes
nutritionists and stress reduction specialists, and our oncology
nurse navigator who will help you connect with any community
resources available. Having the support to fight your cancer can go a
long way in your recovery.

3) How are you going to follow up? You will receive mammograms,
MRIs, and scans according to your medical oncologist's and radiation oncologist’s
suggestions.

4) How many treatments will I have? This will vary with each patient. However,
the best way to treat breast cancer with radiation is by administering
a small dose each day to allow the regeneration of good cells. (approximately 1-4 weeks)

5) How does nutrition factor in with breast cancer? You will have
access to our cancer center’s nutritionist for free counseling regarding
your nutrition and health.